Database to track Dutch from cradle to grave

The Netherlands' Ministry of Health has announced plans to create an electronic database that keeps details on each child from birth until death.

The scheme, which will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2007, will compile and retain indefinitely details on individuals including their health, school, police and family situation records, with doctors and youth workers among those tasked with updating the dossier.

Once the system is in operation, all paper files relating to Dutch children will be digitized to create new dossiers.

These files will be coupled with a unique identifying number to make sure children cannot evade their dossier if they move, for example.

A number of government agencies will be able to access the files, according to the Netherlands government, although no private citizens or companies will be allowed to see the information they hold.

According to Dutch state secretary of health Clemence Ross, the dossier is designed to improve the transfer of information between various arms of the Dutch government and to ensure the country's children "can be offered the right care at the right time."

This, according to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, will reduce juvenile delinquencies and help control other juvenile problems.

The health secretary has asked for an additional $30.5 million (25 million euros) to get the electronic file system up and running as soon as possible.

Jo Best of Silicon.com reported from London.

[andrewholden]

Norway already has this

We already have this kind of system, and we've had it for quite a long time - decades even. Everyone is registered at birth, your education, income/taxes, welfare benefits, children, marriage, real estate ownership, cars, tickets/crimes, shares etc. It's all there. It's only available to selcted government employees and the police. It's very useful and it's never been abused. I often think foreign nations are chaotic for lacking this organized a system.

re: Database to track Dutch from Cradle edge of Cradle?

It seems to me that many countries have a focus on children, but those same children have a real future which is not addressed by a system that tracks them in their childhood. Most children as children have parents to care for them and track them, making much of the applications for this system mentioned in this article kind of redundent. Where there is a real disconnect is between the care of children as potential adults and the care of these same children as actual adults. Huge resources are poured and advocated to be poured into the education of these children into better adults. But, very little emphasis is placed on these same adults upon reaching this life stage all this emphasis was placed upon achieving. To my way of thinking this is a disconnect and it is this connection that lies at the heart both of the democratic citizenry of individuals and of the sovereignty of peoples: the firm and precise (read accountablility of power)connectinon between a nation and a body of very specific people.